The genus is distinguished by its elongated pod, which has no longitudinal partition when ripe, but contains several seeds separated by a pithy substance filling the pod. The leaves are rough and partly divided into segments, the outer one being larger and broader than the rest. The flower stem grows to about 3 feet in height, bearing medium-sized flowers that vary in colour from white to pale violet, with strongly marked, dark veins. Structurally, it resembles the turnip, as the swollen, fleshy portion is really a stem which gradually passes downwards into the real root. The flesh is white, crisp, and tender.

Antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, astringent, cholagogue, digestive and diuretic (root); eliminates toxins from the body, shows anti-tumour activity (plant); diuretic and laxative (fresh leaf juice); carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative and stomachic (seed).

Floridata
Plants for a Future
PIER

Ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin (fruit); caffeic acid, diallyl-sulphide, ferulic acid, folacin, glutamic acid, glycine, linoleic acid, methionine, oleic acid, oxalic acid, p-coumaric acid, palmitic acid, pantothenic acid, phenylalanine, stearic acid, tryptophan, tyrosine (root); arginine (plant)

Stimulate the appetite and digestion, having a tonic and laxative effect upon the intestines and indirectly stimulating the flow of bile (root); in the treatment of asthma and other chest complaints (leaves, seeds and old roots); in the treatment of indigestion, abdominal bloating, wind, acid regurgitation, diarrhoea, bronchitis and in the treatment of intestinal parasites (plant). It is crushed and used as a poultice for burns, bruises and smelly feet.

Sharma, Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.